“I am acting through love”
– Cody Young
When you meet Cody Young, you immediately sense the calm energy of someone deeply connected to the ocean. Born and raised in Hawaii, Cody doesn’t just surf — he lives it. Surfing isn’t merely his profession or hobby; it’s his rhythm, his escape, his meditation.
“Surfing for me is pretty much my entire life — my passion, my career, my lifestyle, and also my escape.”
In a world of constant noise and screens, Cody finds silence and presence between the waves. Without a phone, without a watch, without distractions — just the ocean and himself. Surfing demands complete presence, and Cody embraces that fully.
The Beginning: A Life Shaped by the Ocean
Cody’s relationship with the sea started long before he could even walk.
His parents, both passionate windsurfers, moved to Maui to follow the wind. For Cody, that meant growing up with the ocean as his playground, teacher, and sanctuary.
“I have a photo of me on a board when I was six months old — so I don’t really remember my first surf.”
It wasn’t until he was nine years old that everything clicked. The turquoise water, the perfect sandbar, the small glassy waves — a moment that would define his future.
“That day I was hooked. I had the bug — and from then on, it was every day.”
From then on, baseball and soccer faded into the background. Surfing became the center of his world. The ocean wasn’t just where he played — it became where he grew up.
Challenges and Resilience
Like many athletes, Cody’s path hasn’t been a straight line. Injuries, setbacks, and the mental battles that come with them shaped his journey as much as triumphs in the water.
“Coming back from injuries gave me this immense amount of appreciation. You realize how much it means to you when you can’t do it for months.”
Torn ligaments and muscles are not just physical obstacles — they create uncertainty, doubt, and moments of questioning one’s future. Cody learned to rebuild, not only physically through gym work and rehab, but mentally through patience and discipline.
“The hardest part is mental… you start questioning everything — your path, your purpose, your future.”
But every comeback brought him deeper gratitude, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The Mind Game: Staying Calm in Chaos
Surfing big waves is not just about strength or skill — it’s about absolute mental clarity. Panic can turn a situation dangerous. Calmness becomes survival.
“When you get into the surf that’s a bit scarier, the more calm you can be, the better chance you have of surviving.”
Through breathwork, mindfulness, and guidance from his mentor Scott Sanchez, Cody trained himself to stay fully present — especially when it matters most.
For him, surfing is meditation in motion.
Beyond Competition: Surfing for a Cause
While traveling the world in pursuit of waves and competitive success, Cody discovered that surfing could be more than performance, training, and results. It could be a bridge — a way to reach people who might otherwise never feel the ocean’s power, calm, or freedom.
That realization began when he was 17.
One afternoon, he was simply at the beach when he came across a small event organized by a local foundation offering ocean experiences to kids who rarely had the chance — including children with special needs. They needed experienced surfers to tandem-surf with the kids, keeping them safe while giving them their first-ever ride on a wave. Cody volunteered without hesitation.
He didn’t expect it to change him.
But it did.
“I kind of got that first-hand experience of like… like, you know, surfing on board with another person and, you know, they’ve probably only been in the water a handful of times. So, you know, they need professionals to make sure that they’re safe. So going out there and kind of experiencing that, that was like, I don’t know, that kind of inspired me…”
It was the first time he understood how powerful surfing could be beyond the competitive world he grew up in.
Later, he developed his senior high school project around helping children with special needs surf. That experience led him to meet Izzy Paskowitz, the legendary surfer and founder of Surfers Healing — the original surf-therapy organization for children with autism. Izzy’s own son, Isaiah, had found deep comfort in the ocean, and Izzy had dedicated his life to sharing that gift with others. Cody joined him.
Together, they traveled to events around the world — from California to the East Coast, to Australia, and back to Maui. Each event was different, but the feeling was always the same: transformation, connection, and love.
“Surfing can be such a selfish endeavor — waves are a scarce resource.
But through Surfers Healing, I found a selfless way to surf.”
These days, Cody has witnessed moments many people never get to see:
Non-speaking children suddenly smiling uncontrollably
Kids who usually struggle with sensory overload finding complete calm beyond the breakers
Parents in tears on the beach, watching their child experience joy, peace, or connection they haven’t seen in years
“You can see this sense of calm come over them once they’re out past the breakers…”
For Cody, these days in the water feel:
“as good, if not better, than catching a perfect wave at Pipeline.”
Because it isn’t just the kids whose lives are touched.
These experiences changed him, too — giving him perspective, gratitude, and a deeper understanding of what surfing can mean when shared with love.
Purpose and Perspective
Surfing professionally comes with pressure, expectations, and the risk that passion can start to feel like work. Surfers Healing reminded Cody what matters most.
“There are days when surfing feels like a job. But then I remember how stoked these kids are… why should I ever take this for granted?”
His dream is to expand Surfers Healing in Maui so every special needs child — and adult — can experience the healing power of the ocean.
“Our goal is to reach every single special needs kid in Maui — and give them the chance to surf.”
One Step at a Time
Cody’s competitive dream remains clear: qualify for the Championship Tour — and ultimately, one day, become World Champion. But unlike some athletes who chase results at any cost, Cody approaches his goals with patience, perspective, and methodical planning.
“Everything’s very methodical — you go moment by moment and day by day.”
Every training session, every wave, and every competition is an opportunity to learn, improve, and stay present. He pushes himself relentlessly in the gym and in the water, analyzing each maneuver, refining every technique, and preparing mentally for the high-stakes waves of the Championship Tour. His determination is fueled by the dream of standing among the world’s best surfers — a goal he pursues with unwavering focus and discipline.
Even while pursuing competitive success, Cody remains grounded in what truly motivates him: the joy of surfing and the opportunity to spread love through it. He sees the ocean not just as a playground or arena, but as a vessel — a way to connect, heal, and give back.
“I think my purpose on Earth is to spread love — and I’m using surfing as the vessel.”
Every wave, every session, every contest is a chance to practice that philosophy, to live intentionally, and to grow as both a surfer and a human being. Surfing is the vehicle, but love is always the destination.
Acting Through Love
Toward the end of our conversation, Cody shared a small moment that grew into something meaningful — a simple pin he found during a Surfers Healing tour.
“It just said, I am acting through love.”
He’s the first to admit he’s not perfect — no one is.
But this mantra guides him, reminds him, and grounds him.
“That’s what we should be doing as humans — treating everyone with respect and spreading love”
“I am acting through love”
– Cody Young
